SIX of the best from Annfield Plain Cricket Club has seen them reach the dizzy heights of second place in the First Division.

Gone are the usual relegation battles this season and it was reigning champions Blackhill Comrades who became the latest notch for the cricketers.

The Plain spread the scoring around and had six different marksmen as they recorded their 6-1 home win. Gary Kay, Mark French, Mick McGee, Gareth Nelson, Steve Watchman and Steve McGough fired into the Comrades net and they managed to reply through a Paul Sawyer consolation.

In Division Two, Danny Gilbert's double strike was in vain as Annfield Plain Demi were soundly beaten at home 7-3 by Blackhill Cricketers. Goal machine Duncan McCullough struck another four goals and gained support with a pair from Barry Emery and a Mark McCluskey goal.

Graham Baldridge blasted a hat-trick and Mark Farthing two others as Freemasons enjoyed a 6-2 Division Three win over the Smelters with Shaun Campbell getting both of the visiting goals.

In the Consett Charity Cup, Matthew Rowley struck all four goals as Chopwell beat the Board Inn 4-1 with AK Leisure seeing off Dipton Bird Inn 9-0.

There was four goals from Andrew Gilmour as Consett Top Club beat Medomsley Miners Arms 8-1.

Stateside were too hot to handle for Tantobie and ran out 9-0 winners with Thomas Bushby scoring a hat-trick and Darren Watson two others.

Former Middlesbrough YTS player Gary Clark - who also had a spell with Doncaster Rovers when they were in the Third Division - was in devastating form for Stanley Towneley Arms.

Clark helped himself to no fewer than five goals as the Stanley side recorded an 8-0 win over the Duke of Wellington.

Leadgate Golden Lion needed extra-time before they saw off Lanchester Social 6-4. Both Mark Turner and Chris Soulsby scored twice along with Stephen Hind and Ged Price with Lee McVittie's double and goals from John Jackson and Paul Raisbeck in vain for the village side.

Leading scorer Gavin Rowell struck another hat-trick as West Pelton Highwayman eased past Horse & Groom 8-2 while Lintz Celtic enjoyed a similar size win at home to Blackhill Scotch Arms with both Rob Foster and Graham Johnson scoring twice.

Duncan Pearce, James Herron and Philip Butterfield goals saw Hat & Feather to a 3-1 win at Prince of Wales who replied through Mick Milburn.